I think there is something we can all agree on as people in 2018 – finding and maintaining friendships are hard. We are past the point in our lives where we meet people who go to our school or share a major with us, and now we have to be intentional about initiating conversation at various places. We meet fellow parents at school gatherings and we may run into the same people at church every Sunday or at extra-curricular events, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we immediately have friends.
Friends are people that you can share your days with, through text message or phone calls. They are people who are a part of our lives as well as our children’s lives.
I have been very lucky to be surrounded by women who I am able to share my life with. We gather when we can to relax, connect and grow together. For me, inclusion is key for a healthy balance of friendships.
The more the merrier is something that I live by. If I am going somewhere with a group of friends and a friend of theirs or mine wants to join, the answer from me will be YES. Why? Why wouldn’t I just want some time with my people, my group?
For me, the answer goes back to being in school. I don’t have this huge bullying story to share but I was always one that just didn’t quite feel like I fit in. I had friends that I felt like tolerated me at various times but I was never in the center of any friend group. As an adult, I think it is my job to make sure adults don’t feel alone. We are all in this thing called life together, and I truly believe each and every person is looking for a community to be a part of.
